Straightener for posts and the like



March 24, 1970 s. F. LONG STRAIGHTENER FOR POSTS AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 28, 1967 1A nn m m /w W m Q W Z w w Q w March 24, 1970 s. F. LONG STRAIGHTENER FOR POSTS AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 28, 1967 INVENTOR S YL v53 751-? F. L ONG.

ATTORNEY j q 8 M? Q mg 9 K March 24, 1970 's. F. LONG STRAIGHTENER F OR POSTS AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 28, 1967 INVENTOR SYL VESTER E Lo/va ikz;

I 2 W 9 41'! 4 6 B I 6 6 l n n M H M Q g ll! 5 IO/ 1'. 9 H W W 10 dd L x M h 0 Q La '0 W IIIIII 2 8 H I OH" J 7 M n W I 1 w u 9 J United States Patent 3,501,941 STRAIGHTENER FOR POSTS AND THE LIKE Sylvester F. Long, P.O. Box 7, Mossville, Ill. 61552 Filed June 28, 1967, Ser. No. 649,657

Int. Cl. B21d 9/05 US. Cl. 72705 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A portable post straightener having a frame provided with an anvil member, plunger member, and power means for moving the plunger member toward and away from the anvil member; the anvil member and plunger member having work engaging faces comprising contoured dies which mate with the surface of the post to be straightened; the contour of the mating surfaces thereof being variable by use of appropriate die inserts; one die having a convex curvature along the longitudinal axis of the post to be straightened; and the other die having a concave curvature along the longitudinal axis of the post to be straightened, the curvature of the dies being mated to apply a sufiicient degree of curvature to the post to be straightened to compensate for the rebound characteristics thereof.

This invention relates to improvements in portable straighteners for posts and the like.

Signs along the roadside, such as stop signs, those bearing warnings to the motorist of conditions ahead, etc. are usually mounted on metal posts which are driven into the ground or otherwise supported to elevate the sign at a suflicient height for ready observation by a motorist. Since such signs are required to be placed fairly close to the road, the same are subject to being hit by vehicles, multilation by vandals, etc., with the result that the support posts are frequently bent in such a manner that the sign supported thereby faces toward the ground or up in the air at a direction which is completely useless for observation of the same by the passing motorist. The post is frequently anchored in the ground in cement, and the fasteners supporting a sign thereon may have become rusted, so that it usually involves quite a bit of work to either remove the post for straightening or to replace the same. The primary object of the pr sent invention is the provision of a portable straightener for posts and the like which may be effectively utilized on the spot, without removing the post from the ground or the sign from the post.

A further object is the provision of a portable hydraulic post straightener which may be hand carried by the operator and applied about the post at the place or places where the same is bent, and the post straightened without removal of the post from the ground or the sign from the post.

A further object is the provision of a portable straightener for posts and the like which includes contoured dies for mating with the surface contour of the post to be straightened, such as a channel post or U-post, and one of which dies has a convex curvature along the longitudinal axis of the post to be straightened, the other having a concave curvature along the longitudinal axis of the post to be straightened, and the curvature of the dies being mated to apply a suflicient degree of curvature to the post to be straightened to compensate for the rebound characteristics thereof.

A further object is the provision of a portable straightener for posts and the like in which die inserts may be provided for mating thereof with posts of various contour without removal of the basic dies of the straightener.

A further object is the provision of a portable hydraulic metal post straightener which includes a pair of cooperat- 3,501,941 Patented Mar. 24, 1970 ing mating dies having work engaging faces contoured to the surface of the post to be straightened, and wherein one of the dies is readily removable for positioning of the post between the dies.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be come apparent during the course of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a portion of this specification, and in which drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of my improved portable straightener for posts and the like.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the portable straightener of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view showing a typical cross section of a conventional channel post or U-posts.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a bent channel post or U-post.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a channel post or U-post bent in the direction opposite from FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the line 66 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6 and showing the dies thereof acting to straighten a post bent as in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on the lines 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 6 and showing contoured dies which may be used in the straightening of a post bent as shown in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are respectively a top plan, side elevation and rear view of a die insert such as may be used in association with the dies of the portable post straightener as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the drawings, wherein for the purposes of illustration are shown preferred and modified embodiments of the invention, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A may generally designate my improved portable post straightener, including power means B and die means C, comprising a plunger member D and an anvil member E; F the die insert as shown in FIGS. 6-8; G the die means as shown in FIG. 9 which may include a die insert H; and J the die insert as shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12.

Portable post straightener A preferably includes a main frame 20 which preferably comprises a pair of elongated side members 21 and 22 having mounted at one end therebetween a butt plate member 23. An upstanding handle 25 may be mounted intermediately of and transversely between side members 21 and 22 at a convenient balance point for facile support of the portable post straightener.

Mounted on frame 20 is ram means 26, for driving plunger member D, and control means 27 for regulating movement of ram means 26. In the form shown, the portable post straightener has hydraulic power means B, ram means 26 comprising a hydraulic ram 28 and control means 27 comprising a hydraulic valve 29, and power being supplied from a conventional hydraulic power source (not shown) through valve 29 to hydraulic ram 28.

Butt plate member 23 preferably includes a flange 30 extending axially between side members 21 and 22, for support of hydraulic ram 28, as will be subsequently described.

A support plate 31 may be attached at one end thereof to butt plate member 23 and at the other end thereof to handle 25, support plate 31 providing a mount for hydraulic valve 29.

An elongated bar 32 may be attached to the facing sides of each elongated side member 21 and 22 adjacent the ends thereof opposite butt plate member 23, bars 32 comprising track means for guiding movement of plunger member D, as will be subsequently described.

Hydraulic ram 28 may be of conventional construction, the main body portion 33 thereof including a hydraulically actuated piston (not shown) which drives a shaft 34. In the mounting of hydraulic ram 28 on main frame 20, main body portion 33 may be provided with a U-shaped support 35 that is connected with flange 30 by a support rod 36 secured by cotter pins 37. Th outermost end of of shaft 34 may be provided with a connector 35' for attachment thereof to plunger member D. Connector 35 preferably includes a pair of spaced apart connecting ends 38 and 39 which may be attached to plunger member D by a support rod 40 and cotter pins 41.

Valve 29 may be a conventional 2-way hydraulic valve, having a body portion 42 which houses suitable valve structure (not shown) which is attached to and is operated by control lever 43. Suitable hydraulic power may be provided to valve 29 such as through conduit 45, and conduits 46 and 47 may be provided leading from valve 29 to hydraulic ram 28.

Inasmuch as the hydraulic ram construction and the construction of the hydraulic valve may be of any conventional type, I have not deemed it necessary to go into detail as to the exact construction thereof. Furthermore, although I have indicated that the preferable form of the invention is by hydraulic power, it is to be understood that the same could be appropriately modified to be electrically operated in providing a reciprocable ram element, or by other suitable power sources, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

Plunger member D may comprise a die structure including an elongated die plate 52 having a Work engaging face 53. A flange 54 may be provided opposite work engaging face 53, which flange 54 may be received between connecting ends 38 and 39 of hydraulic ram 28 and be secured thereto by rod 40 and cotter pins 41. Sides 55 and 56 of die plate 52 are each provided with a guide slot 57 which receives a bar 32 and thereby slidably supports die plate 52 on the track means provided by bars 32. In the form shown, work engaging face 53 includes a pair of side portions 58 and 59 having an elongated die cavity 60 therebetween, forming a female die structure. Side portions 58 and 59 and die cavity 60 have a slightly convex curvature along the longitudinal axis thereof, for a purpose as will be subsequently described.

Anvil member B may comprise a die structure including an elongated die plate 61 having a work engaging face 62. A flange 63 may be provided opposite work engaging face 62, which flange 63 may be supported between and adjacent the outermost ends of side members 21 and 22, in juxtaposition with respect to the track means provided by bars 32 for mating with work engaging face 53 of plunger member D. Flange 63 is mounted intermediate side members 21 and 22 by a pair of rods 64 which are fixed in position by cotter pins 65. In the form shown, Work engaging face 62 includes a pair of side portions 66 and 67 having a raised die projection 68 therebetween, forming a male die structure. Side portions 66 and 67 and die projection 68 have a slightly concave curvature along the longitudinal axis thereof, for a purpose as will be subsequently described.

Work engaging faces 53 and 62 are shown as being contoured for mating with and straightening of a channel post or U-post 70, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. This type of post usually has a transverse cross section as shown in FIG. 3, including a pair of side flange portions 71 and 72 and a central or U-shaped portion 73. Die plates 52 and 61 are contoured to receive and straighten a channel post 70 therebetween, flanges 71 and 72 being straightened by being pressed between side portions 58 and 59 of die plate 52 as they move toward side portions 66 and 67 of die plate 61, and channel portion 73 being straightened as die projection 68 of die plate 61 mates within die cavity 60 of die plate 52.

In operation, in the event that the post to be straightened is either out of the ground or does not have a sign attached thereto, the post may be slipped between die plate 52 and die plate 61. In the event that it is desired to apply the portable post straightener to a post which has a fixture or fixtures at the ends thereof which prevent the post from being slid between die plates 52 and 61, cotter pins 65 may be removed from one end of rods 64, the same slid out and die plate 61 removed, the post slid between side members 21 and 22 adjacent die plate 52, and die plate 61 then resecured in position upon side members 21 and 22. Control lever 43 of valve 29 may then be actuated to cause hydraulic ram 28 to force plunger member D toward anvil member E, the post being compressed and straightened as work engaging face 53 of die plate 52 moves toward work engaging face 62 of die plate 61. In order to remove the post, control lever 43 is moved in the opposite direction, which withdraws plunger member D away from anvil member E, and the post may be removed from the portable post straightener in the reverse manner to which it was applied.

The convex curvature of die plate 52 and the concave curvature of die plate 61 are provided for straightening of a post which has been bent as shown in FIG. 4. By utilizing this mating convex and concave curvature, it will be observed that the post will be slightly curved by the dies in a direction opposite to that which it had been bent. This is because the metal posts of which the channel posts are usually constructed have certain rebound characteristics which tend to resist bending, and if the dies were contoured to merely provide a straight post when they were compressed together, the post would, when released from between the dies, likely have a slight curvature in the direction of the bend which it was desired to straighten. By providing a reverse curvature to the post upon mating of the contoured dies, the post will, when it is released from between the dies, rebound to form a straight post.

It is, of course, to be understood that die plate 52 may comprise a male die rather than a female die, and that die plate 61 may comprise a female die, and that the work engaging faces 52 and 62 thereof may be appropriately contoured to receive any type of post therebetween, the invention not being limited to a portable post straightener usable only in connection with channel posts of the type as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

Die insert I, as shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, may be used as a back-up plate for a rivet head when riveting a sign to the post.

Die insert J preferably includes an elongated work plate 75, an upper portion 76, and downturned rear flange portions 77. A ring 78 may be attached to upper portion 76, for facile insertion and removal of the die insert. When die insert J is used in association with contoured dies such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the same will be interconnected over plate 52, work plate 75 thereof abutting side portions 58 and 59 and covering die cavity 60, top portion 76 extending over the top of die plate 52, with rearward flange portions 77 extending down the back of plate 52, to each side of flange 54. When die plate I is thus in this position, the rivets may be positioned in the holes of the sign and through the holes provided in the post, with work plate 75 against the rivet head, and the application of pressure through hydraulic ram 28 will move plunger member D toward anvil member E, clinching the rivet between the male die projection 68 of die plate 61 and work plate 75 of die insert J.

It is obvious that, in a days work, an operator of the portable post straightener may encounter a number of posts having different contours. Die inserts F and H may be provided for taking care of the variation in the contour of differing channel posts. Die inserts F and H are basically of the same construction as die insert I, each including respective work plates 75 and 75*, upper portions 76 and 76 flange portions 77 and 77 and rings 7 8 and 7 8- As shown in FIGS. 6-8, die insert F is provided to change the contour of male die projection 68 of die plate 61, for accommodating between the respective contoured male and female portions of die means B a channel post having a deeper channel than that shown in FIG. 3. This may be readily observed by reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 7 illustrates the application of a reverse curvature to the post being straightened, upon compression of die means B about a channel post, and from which the relationship of compression of the post between die means B will be obvious in use of the post straightener without use of a die insert F.

In the form of invention as shown in FIG. 9, die plate 52 is shown as having a slightly concave curvature along the longitudinal axis thereof, and die plate 61 is shown as having a slight convex curvature along the longitudinal axis thereof. Dies of this type will be used in straightening of a post which has been bent as shown in FIG. 5. It is thus obvious that the invention is not restricted to provision of only a die plate 52 having a convex curvature and die plate 60 to having a concave curvature, but that either one or the other may be either convex or concave. As a matter of fact, where applicable, the work engaging faces of die means B may have other than convex or concave curvatures, or may be straight.

Die insert H is shown as being mounted within elongated die cavity 60 of die plate 52 and this type of die insert may be used, for instance, when the channel of a channel post is shallower than that shown in FIG. 3. It thus becomes obvious that use of die inserts in connection with this invention is not limited to use with only either the male or the female die structure, but may be used in connection with each or both.

Of course, if there is a twist to the post, in addition to a bend, such misalignment may be corrected by keeping the portable post straightener clamped to the post and rotating the same in the direction necessary to remove the twist from the post.

Various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be made to the forms of the invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a straightener for posts and the like, the combination of a frame, an anvil member including a work engaging face, means for mounting said anvil member in a fixed position on said frame, a plunger member including a work engaging face, means for movably mounting said plunger member on said frame, said anvil member and said plunger member being disposed on said frame in jutaposition with respect to each other to engage the post to be straightened between the work engaging faces thereof on movement of said plunger member toward said anvil member, said work engaging face of each said anvil member and said plunger member comprising contoured dies mating with the exterior configuration of the post to be straightened, said contoured dies of each of said anvil member and plunger member comprising a pair of mated dies, one having a convex curvature along the longitudinal axis of the post to be straightened and the other having a concave curvature along the longitudinal axis of the post to be straightened, the curvature of said dies being mated to apply a sufficient degree of curvature to the post to be straightened to compensate for the rebound characteristics thereof, insert means removably attached to at least one work engaging face of said dies for providing a modified contoured die structure, and power means for moving said plunger means towards said anvil member in engagement of a post between the work engaging faces thereof.

2. In a portable hydraulic straightener for channel posts and the like, the combination of a frame, a hydraulic ram mounted on said frame, valve means for regulating direction and thrust of said hydraulic ram, means for supplying hydraulic power through said hydraulic valve, a pair of dies, means for mounting one of said dies on said frame in a fixed position, means for movably mounting the other of said dies on said frame for cooperative movement toward and away from said die mounted in a fixed position on said frame, and means operatively connecting said die movably mounted on said frame with said hydraulic ram for movement thereof by said hydraulic ram toward and away from said die mounted in a fixed position on said frame, said dies comprising a male and female die structure contoured to mate with the external configuration of the channel post to be straightened, insert means removably attached to at least one contoured die face for providing a modified contoured die structure, and said means for mounting one of said dies on said frame in a fixed position comprising readily detachable fasterner means whereby said die secured thereby may be removed and replaced with facility in positioning of the channel post between said dies.

3. The combination as specified in claim 2 wherein said insert means comprises a work plate interfitting over the female die structure thereof and providing a back-up plate for rivet attachment to the post in cooperation with the male die structure thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1959 Fike 72-389 3/1964 Williams et al 72389 U.S. Cl. X.R. 72-411, 705 

